Two pounds of marijuana seized in drug bust

A Columbia couple were arrested here Friday, after shots were fired, and more than two pounds of marijuana was found in their vehicle.

Friday afternoon, a call came in to the sheriff's department, stating that a vehicle had been shot on John Barnes Road, in the extreme southeast of the county. Luckily there were no injuries.

The suspects were said to be driving a white SUV-like vehicle, and had left the area. Moments later, they were stopped by Cornersville Police Chief Todd Bone on Ostella Road. Deputy Freddie Darnell assisted him during the stop.

The occupants of the Nissan were identified as William Alexander "Alex" Pence, 31, and Lauren Elizabeth McCormick, 27. Both are residents of Columbia. Pence and McCormick were placed into custody while an inventory of the vehicle was done, before having it towed.

In the vehicle officers found one AK-47 pistol, one .32 Mag revolver, and two sealed bags of marijuana. The bags of marijuana weighed approximately 4.2 ounces.

Detective Chad Bass, with assistance from Detective Tony Nichols, Major Jimmy Oliver, and Detective James Johnson of the Lewisburg Police Department, continued to investigate the vehicle after obtaining a search warrant. As a result of this search, the officers discovered eight more sealed bags of marijuana, which weighed a total of approximately 32.9 ounces.

"I'd like to commend Detective Bass and the others on a job well done," said Sheriff Norman Dalton, after returning from the scene. He went on to thank each of them for their extra efforts toward obtaining the vehicle search warrant, resulting in the seizure of drugs that could have ended up on the streets of Marshall County.

Pence was charged with three counts of aggravated assault, three counts of possession with intent to sell, two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, vandalism, and possession of drug paraphernalia,. His bond was set at $129,000.

McCormick was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, three counts of possession with intent to sell, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a the commission of a dangerous felony. Her bond was set at $76,000.

Pence and McCormick made bond and were released Saturday morning. They are due in General Sessions Court next week, on Tuesday, March 18.